Edgar Davids hints at retirement

Barnet's high-profile player-manager Edgar Davids has hinted his playing career could be over after claiming he was being targeted by referees in the Conference National.

Edgar Davids could be ready to hang up his boots.

The 40-year-old former Netherlands international made the claim after he was sent off for the third time this season in his side's 2-1 defeat at Salisbury on Saturday.

Davids, who has played eight league games this season, bemoaned officiating in the fifth tier saying it had taken the “fun” out of playing.

“I am a target but it is OK. I don't think I am going to play anymore because they are taking away the fun and I want the team to do well,” he said in comments released on the club's official website.

“If you look at the red cards, some are definitely red cards and some are exaggerated. It is hard to complete our tasks when a lot of decisions are against you.”

Davids' dismissal came shortly after teammate Carl Fletcher saw red in a defeat that dropped the Bees to ninth in the table.

The former Barcelona and Juventus midfielder labelled the decisions “an absolute disgrace” and suggested the entire club, who were relegated from the Football League under him last season, were being unfairly treated.

“I think I know for definite now that the league is targeting Barnet,” Davids was quoted as saying in the Barnet and Potters Bar Times. “I don't know how many games we have played but there is weird decision making all the time.”

Speaking about his own dismissal, which came after he had earlier been cautioned for a first-half challenge, he added: “It is ridiculous, especially the first one [yellow card] because everyone can see I cleared the ball.

“That was an absolute disgrace. The other one for the red card was also a disgrace.”

Barnet said in a statement that the club “would update all supporters on any further news when we have it.”

Davids joined Barnet in October 2012 as a joint manager alongside Mark Robson, but took sole charge almost a year ago to the day.

Barnet were then relegated under Davids and during the summer the Dutchman announced he would wear the No. 1 jersey this season, despite the shirt usually being reserved for goalkeepers.

Davids won more than 15 major trophies as a player after making his debut with Ajax in 1991. Capped 74 times by Netherlands, Davids won the Champions League with Ajax in 1994-95 -- as well as three Dutch league titles -- before winning three Serie A league crowns with Juve.